The Grapes, Wandsworth, SW18

Randomness Guide to London - Grapes entry

Randomness Guide to London - Grapes entry

A traditional street corner pub serving Young's beers. The original corner entrance has now gone, but once inside you can still make out the original lobby with some good looking etched glass remaining. There is a rectangular island bar with an attractive detailed carved bar back. Mixed seating now, some traditional cast iron three legged Britannia tables with benches and small stools plus a trio of high tables and stools at the end window. The bench seats are very tidy in green fake leather and I'd guess have been reupholstered since the previous review. Very clean and tidy, poished wood and gleaming brass, carpeted. Behind the bench seats there are stained wood backs with mirrored inserts above head height. A couple of screens were off, but I also noted an upright piano at the end of the room, with a piano stool so possibly it sees some use. Covered booths outside to cater for the smokers and a garden beyond. Just Ordinary and Special on, but I liked this immaculate little pub and enjoyed the honest atmosphere provided by a group of regulars in friendly debate with the barman about football.

This is a Young's pub, so expect the usual ales. I had the Young's Bitter, which was good, but not cheap at £3.00 a pint. There was the usual pop music playing, but not too loudly. It was very quiet on a weekday lunchtime, with only yours truly plus three apparent locals in the pub – nobody talking, all lost in their world of the racing pages – and a couple in the beer garden. There was a large TV in the corner, but switched off. It is nicely carpeted throughout, with normal tables and chairs – but with some of the chair coverings having seen better days. I doubt whether much has changed in here in the last 50 years. Much the better for it, in my opinion. So, it's a real pub then. Even if there's nothing special about this pub – although you could say its ordinariness is quite special – it does have a welcoming feel about it, and I would be delighted to drop in for another pint if I was in the area.

Small pub in the middle of a busy road junction. If you can get across the road, you will find it a comfortable place. Seats around the walls. One side has mirrors. Sells real ale.